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WFI Bars Vinesh Phogat Until June 26 as Disciplinary Case Proceeds

The dispute turns on whether international anti-doping clearance outranks the federation’s domestic rules.

Overview

  • Vinesh Phogat, who went to the National Open Ranking Tournament in Gonda on Monday, was told she could not compete and left the venue.
  • The Wrestling Federation of India says she is ineligible for sanctioned events until June 26, 2026 and has served a 15-page show-cause notice citing indiscipline and a missed test.
  • Phogat posted an International Testing Agency letter saying she could return from January 1, 2026 and she argues a single whereabouts miss is only a warning under WADA rules, not a ban.
  • WFI president Sanjay Singh said a committee will rule within about 10 days after her reply, which keeps her out of Asian Games trials scheduled for May 30.
  • Olympic medallist Sakshi Malik has urged the prime minister and sports minister to let Phogat take trials, as the row revives strains from the 2023 wrestler protests and scrutiny of WFI’s handling of top athletes.